Les Misérables Chapter-a-Day Read-along: Waterloo and More Waterloo
The rest of the month of March may be the most challenging portion of the entire Les Misérables Chapter-a-Day Read-along. After the dramatic end to Volume I, not only does the narrative shift to a completely different scene, but that shift goes on for nineteen chapters. The characters that the reader has become so invested in are seemingly abandoned for a sixty page account of the Battle of Waterloo. And of course, reading only a chapter a day makes this section last even longer.
All I can say is, if this section is especially difficult for you, hang in there and be patient. Circle March 31st on the calendar, and know that on the eve of Easter we will return to the main narrative.
In the meanwhile, reading these chapters may be easier if you have a concrete picture of the Battle of Waterloo in your mind as you read them. The following video does an excellent job of mapping out the locations of the different military forces involved and animating their movements. It’s about 13 minutes long, but I found it very useful in getting a handle on some of the places and actions of the battle.
And as always, feel free to comment on how your reading is going, especially your frustration with Waterloo or how you might be dealing with these chapters. And if you know of other online resources about the Battle of Waterloo, please share them.
Oof! Up to this point I was thinking that previous readers had exaggerated Hugo’s tendency to digress. But now my eyes are glazing over. I am not interested in military history or strategy and this section (so far) can also be pretty gruesome (body parts, wells, etc.). For whatever reason, I think I will enjoy the history of the Paris sewer system that I have been told will be forthcoming at some point! 😀
I have read ahead a bit…that is how I am copping, but getting it over with! But what has impressed me so far is all the variables that led to Napoleon’s loss (*spoiler alert* LOL). There were, at least according to Hugo and who am I to doubt him, so may factors that would have given victory to the French…for want of a nail, I guess.
Skimming this part. I agree, the sewer system sounds more interesting!
I sure am glad Hugo didn’t start the book with the battle of Waterloo! Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have caught up or been able to get into the book. I’m sure there is something meaningful in these chapters, I’m just not sure what that is. I am looking forward to getting back to the main story on March 31st! 🙂
Perhaps I’m unusual but I’m really enjoying the Napoleonic/Waterloo section. Although I have been lagging behind and read 13 chapters today, so haven’t really had the chapter a day experience. Thanks so much for the video above- it’s great for providing some background. I wasn’t really aware that Waterloo was on the back of other battles in the preceding days. It’s somewhat hard to imagine 72 year old generals going into battle on horseback! The video didn’t really mention the trench that trapped so many of the horses and riders in the first wave of the French cavalry. I think VH does an amazing job of portraying the horrors of battle in those times.